07/08/2025
Dear Friends,
As the gentle warmth of summer continues to embrace us, I find myself reflecting on the beautiful tapestry of experiences we've woven together in recent weeks. There's something quite magical about this season – perhaps it's the longer days that seem to invite deeper contemplation, or the way our sangha continues to flourish with such diverse voices and perspectives.
Celebrating Our Recent Journey
What a wonderfully rich July we've had! We concluded our Greater Mandala Course, and I'm still absorbing the profound insights that emerged from our explorations together. The depth of engagement and quality of discussion throughout those weeks reminded me once again how the dharma truly comes alive when we explore it as a community. Following this, Samudraghosha led us through a workshop on metta bhavana, and I watched participants discover new dimensions to this fundamental practice – there's something deeply moving about witnessing these moments of insight unfold.
One of the highlights was Mangala's visit from London, sharing his personal memories of Bhante from their time together in the 1960s and from living in community with him later on. Having heard Bhante speak many times through recordings, there was something irreplaceable about Mangala's first-hand accounts. He painted a picture of our founder not just as a great teacher, but as a human being navigating his own spiritual journey with all its complexities and discoveries. These stories have a remarkable way of making the dharma feel more immediate and accessible – they remind us that even our most revered teachers walked the same uncertain path we find ourselves on.
Voices from Our Community
Perhaps most moving of all were the heartfelt shares from all of our newest mitras, Natalie, Vickie, Karen, Danielle and Ruchi who courageously opened their hearts to tell us about their spiritual journeys. Listening to them, I was struck by something beautiful: while each of our paths is utterly unique, there are these golden threads that weave through all our stories. We all recognise that familiar tug-of-war between the call of the spiritual path and the gravitational pull of our everyday, worldly concerns. Hearing how others navigate this eternal dance can be both deeply reassuring and genuinely inspiring.
Fresh Energy and New Perspectives
Last Tuesday brought something wonderfully different – our young people's takeover! My heartfelt thanks go to Charlotte, Zoe, and Jordan for breathing such fresh energy into our gathering. While our classes have welcomed people from ages 18 to 98 (my dear mother being our most senior participant!), it's true that those of us who usually lead tend to have been round the block a few times. But there's something irreplaceable about youthful perspective – that natural energetic, questioning spirit, that willingness to challenge assumptions, that infectious enthusiasm for exploration that can revitalise all of us.
If you're between 18 and 35, I warmly encourage you to connect with this vibrant part of our sangha at https://hertfordbuddhistgroup.co.uk/young-people/, or simply ask about it when you join us on a Tuesday evening. We're already planning another youth-led session for October or November – watch this space!
Looking Ahead with Anticipation
As we move through August and into early September, we have some truly exciting offerings coming up:
12th August: My good friend Khemananda travels from London to be with us
19th August: To be confirmed
26th August: Samudraghosha returns to celebrate our founder's life exactly 100 years to the day since his birth – a very special evening indeed
2nd September: Shubhadasa joins us all the way from Suffolk
9th September: The beginning of our new 6-week meditation and Buddhism course, "Breaking through into Buddhahood"
Each gathering promises its own unique flavour of discovery and connection. As always, there's no pressure to attend every session – come when you can, when your heart calls you, when life allows.
The Heart of Our Practice
As we continue through these summer weeks, I'm continually reminded that our practice isn't confined to Tuesday evenings. The dharma lives in the spaces between our formal gatherings – in how we respond to a difficult conversation, in moments of quiet contemplation during a summer walk, in the kindness we extend to ourselves when we're struggling, in the way we truly listen to a friend who needs support.
What strikes me most about our Hertford sangha is the genuine warmth and openness that characterises our gatherings. Whether you're someone who's been exploring Buddhism for years or someone who's never meditated before, there's a quality of acceptance and curiosity that makes our Tuesday evenings feel like coming home to a spiritual family.
An Invitation to Meaning
Whether you're planning summer adventures, finding peace in familiar routines, or perhaps feeling a bit unsettled by life's current challenges, know that our sangha family is here. We're ready to explore the depths and mysteries of this spiritual life together, to support each other through the inevitable ups and downs, and to celebrate the simple joy of genuine human connection.
As one of our community members beautifully put it recently, returning to our group after some time away helped her "experience more meaning in her life" again. That phrase has stayed with me – because isn't that what we're all seeking? Not just understanding or even peace, but that deep sense that our lives matter, that we're part of something larger, that our struggles and joys have meaning.
Until we meet again, may your summer days be filled with the warmth of the season and the deeper warmth of spiritual friendship. May you find moments of genuine connection – with others, with nature, with your own deepest wisdom.
With much metta,
Keith
